ALGIERS - DAKAR - Go4x4.eu

Introduction
2000
The 22 nd edition offered a considerable surprise: for the first time, the rally crossed Africa from west to east, from Senegal
toward Egypt. The number of participants (400) translated the enthusiasm generated by this route. The race was sometimes
perturbed by terrorist threats and the organizers, wishing to ensure the safety of the competitors, decided to implement an air
bridge. The race then continued in Libya, via Cairo. Two winners were celebrated at the base of the pyramids: Richard Sainct
and Jean-Louis Schlesser.
2001
The 2001 edition was inspired by the wish to emphasize the core values of the Dakar rally. Many changes were in the air,
particularly the decision to reduce the amount of airborne assistance (mechanics) by favoring assistance vehicles. A woman
finished the race on top for the first time: Jutta Kleinschmidt in a Mitsubishi. For the motorcycle class, congratulations were in
order for the Italian rider, Fabrizio Meoni.
2002
The 24 th edition of the Dakar was greeted by a teeming crowd that came to Arras for the race's send-off. For cars, victory came
to Japan's Masuoka while for the bikes, Meoni won the top honor for the second time. Twenty-four years after its creation and
after having undergone many changes, today the Paris-Dakar rally is one of the biggest sports events in the world. This African
sports adventure is synonymous with epic and groundbreaking journeys. On the Dakar, more than sports achievements, the first
victory is simply to arrive "at the end" of this unique human adventure.
2003
An atypical route for the 25th anniversary of the Dakar, with a finish in Egypt for the second time in the history of the race. In
addition to the second consecutive win for Japan's Hiroshi Masuoka, it was above all the misadventures of his Mitsubishi
teammate Stéphane Peterhansel that marked the event. Out to become the second driver to win in a car after having won on a
motorcycle (1991-92-93-95-97-98), the Frenchman had completed nearly all of the really clearly on top of the overall rankings
before a nightmarish 16th stage, where he lost all hope of joining Hubert Auriol as a two-way winner of the Dakar. In the
motorcycle class, Richard Sainct joined the elite circle of three-time winners.
2004
The 26 th edition of the race, from Clermont-Ferrand to Dakar, marked the return to a traditional route that was at the same time
very demanding. Between Morocco and Senegal, via Mali, Mauritania and Burkina-Faso, the competitors were forced to perform
miracles in terms of driving and navigation. After his six victories on two wheels, Stéphane Peterhansel added a first victory in
the car category behind the wheel of his Mitsubishi to his record of achievements, hence becoming the second driver in the
history of the Dakar to have won in both categories. In the motorcycle category, the Spanish rider Nani Roma finally triumphed
in his ninth Dakar, ahead of an unhappy Richard Sainct who injured his arm in the first Moroccan stage. In the truck category,
Vladimir Tchaguine won for the fourth time in a Kamaz truck, the third consecutive win in the category.
2005
The start in Barcelona was the opportunity for the competitors who hadn't witnessed the previous editions to get a taste of what
the Dakar really was thanks to the warm welcome of the Catalan crowd. In extremely difficult weather conditions, the journey
through Morocco, Mauritania, Mali and Senegal proved to be very tough for the crews needing endurance and tenacity. Six-time
winner on a bike, Stéphane Peterhansel showed he was also able to triumph on four wheels by retaining his title, despite the
harsh competition of his Mitsubishi team mate Luc Alphand, 2nd. The bike race, shocked by the deaths of Jose-Manuel
Perez and Fabrizio Meoni, crowned Cyril Despres on a KTM for the first time. In the truck category, the Kamaz winning streak
continued but this time Firdaus Kabirov claimed victory while four-time winner Vladimir Tchaguine lost all hopes of success in
Mauritania.
2006
For the first time in its history, the Dakar discovered Portugal and its capital Lisbon that hosted the big start. The European
specials that distinguished themselves through their unusual length gave an opportunity to shine for the local drivers. Once in
Africa, the expected battle between Mitsubishi and Volkswagen started setting up with a clear advantage to the Japanese brand
immediately after entering Mauritania. But title-holder Stéphane Peterhansel, who seemed untouchable in the sand, committed
a series of mistakes that condemned him at the end of the rally. His team mate Luc Alphand, who remained at the same level of
excellence all along the event, claimed his first Dakar: a winning switch for the former alpine skier. In the bike race, it was at the
beginning of the rally that title-holder Cyril Despres lost all hopes of glory when he injured his right shoulder. His rival Marc
Coma became the second Spanish winner of the Dakar. In the truck race, Vladimir Chagin who managed a magnificent series
of victories in the first part of the rally confirmed the domination of the Kamaz trucks on the event. He offered himself a fifth
personal triumph. The 2006 Dakar was sadly hit by the death of Australian biker Andy Caldecott and was then the scene of two
tragic moments in Guinea and Senegal where two young spectators were the victims of accidents on the course of the race.